October was a month of college prep for our upper MYP and DP students here at SEK: We visited Education
City, held a Canadian university fair, and were welcomed by Qatar University for a tailor-made tour. Lots of
students received inspiration, some gained surety, and others now have more questions than when we
began! All in all, we can be sure that our students have excellent options for undergraduate study, whether
here in Qatar or further afield. Deciding where to choose to go remains the challenge.
The dean at the University of Pennsylvania offers the following framework for guidance in choosing the right school on his blog:
- Culture:
- What is the history and mission of the institution. How is the mission relevant today?
- Curriculum:
- More than a listing of majors and programs, what is the design and aim of the courses you will take over 4 years?
- Community:
- Who are the people, the physical spaces of campus and the relationship of the campus to the local environment?
- Conclusions:
- What should I envision for myself at the end of my college experience
- What are some of the outcomes I may expect?
These four Cs are good place to start when students are deciding what school they want to be a part of in the next chunk of their lives. As a prudent parent, I would go ahead and add a fifth C: Cost. It is a very necessary discussion to have!
All of a our students will find welcoming places around the world. As directed above, I encourage them to look beyond a course title, or school name when making that determination, and to ask: What will my day-to-day be like there? What will my classes actually be about? How will this program serve me in my future endeavors?
I am here to help students pore over course details and catalogs, to get in touch with program supervisors,
and find illustrative answers to questions that may help guide their choices. Please have these conversations
at home, and check in with me if you too have questions! It is my pleasure and privilege to be a part of this
exciting time in our students’ lives.
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